Personal Spiritual Formation Development Plan:

 

Objective: For one to intentionally cooperate with God in His ongoing transformation in spiritual formation, it is important to develop an annual plan for one’s growth, in context of where one is spiritually and where one feels God’s calling to grow. To facilitate this effort, we want to develop a template that would include a process of discernment, resources, disciplines, plan format, etc.

Initial Plan developed.

Spiritual Formation Discovery for Leaders: 

 
Objective: We have learned through the refocusing process and historically that the spiritual formation of church leaders must precede the spiritual formation of the church itself. We have also learned that the most effective way for leaders to make a paradigm shift in their leadership is through an intensive experiential group process and that this is probably true with a shift in understanding of one’s spiritual formation. Therefore, using ReFocusing as a model, develop a group retreat process using a “spiritual timeline” and comparing it to the Teresian Paradigm and planning for ongoing personal spiritual formation. This retreat experience could be followed up with online spiritual formation exercises and personal coaching. The leaders would also be made aware of the similar process developed for the congregation, as “The Church as a Spiritual Formation Center.
Plan: The project team would work together to modify the latest ReFocusing Leaders process to form a basic process for a three to four day retreat. They would also work on the follow-up coaching process. It is possible that a “trail run” might be done with Imago Christi members to work out the bugs and then a pilot with a group of pastors. Coordination with the ReFocusing iTeam would be important to ensure that the two tracks are mutually supportive.
Schedule: Priority: High

The Church as a Spiritual Formation Center:

 

Objective: Ultimately, we all agree that once leaders are progressing in their personal spiritual formation, they need tools to enable their congregations to grow spiritually, beyond the basic discipleship of new Christians. Several of us are working on this in our own churches. Using and expanding the material in “Mansions of the Heart,” we desire to develop a strategy that could be used by various sized churches.
Plan: The Imago Christi members identified, along with others that are interested, would begin a dialogue that would surface the issues to be addressed, resources available and needed, and strategies in use and potential.

 Contemplative Prayer for Evangelicals:

Objective: We know that a key to growth through and beyond the Third Mansion is a transition from primarily discursive prayer to more responsive prayer that focuses on God and “listening” to Him. This includes meditation, contemplation, and silence. However, many/most evangelicals have not been taught about this responsive dimension of prayer. What is needed is an introduction to responsive prayer with resources and helps that could be used in a group teaching setting or given as a resource kit to individuals and churches.

5. Spiritual Formation Coaching: 

 

 

Objective: There is a great need among CRM missionaries and leaders for spiritual mentors/coaches. Here we would distinguish mentoring and coaching as similar to but not a formal “spiritual direction” relationship. A process is needed to coach leaders with their spiritual formation development plan (# 2 above), identifying specific issues that may be blocking ongoing spiritual growth, when and what type of therapeutic counseling may be helpful, working the spiritual disciplines in an appropriate way, appropriate readings to support one’s place in the journey, and other questions that arise.
 Plan: Develop a list of existing resources available in this area.  As “spiritual” coaching is not unlike other types of coaching, identify CRM and other coaching resources that may provide a foundation or framework for the process.

6. Spiritual Formation “Taste and See” Event: 

 

 

 Objective: CRM is planning a series of events around the country that can expose leaders and churches to the variety of ministries and tools that CRM provides. It would be important to have a spiritual formation component for these events.

7. Teresian Mansion Mapping Tool Expansion:

 

 

Objective: Continued work is needed in making the Mapping Tool more accurate and useful. Questions need to be reviewed and resources identified for each mansion. It has been suggested that it would be helpful to identify biblical characters that represent each of the seven mansions. In addition to the Movements of Growth sections of the Dissertation, it would be helpful to identify readings, both Scriptures and books that would expose participants to dimensions of spirituality that relate to their growth areas. To the extent that the Teresian paradigm is used in the Spiritual Formation Development Plan, these resources would also be helpful there.